Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Tell if This Was This Written By An American or a Brit?

Annette

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About This Quiz

Are you a bit of an Anglophile? Take this quiz to find out if you can recognize the difference between American and British writing.

Huh? The difference between American and British writing? Isn't it all English. Well, although it is all certainly English, there is a difference between American and British writing. It's not just all in the accent, either (that's a whole other topic... and quiz subject).

One of the primary differences between American and British writing is the use of "s" in the place of "z" in some instances. For instance, where we Americans write "organize," a Brit would write "organise." Looks weird, we know, and your spell check program would probably explode if you tried to write the word that way (believe it or not, there is a setting in most spell check programs that allows for variations of English). However, writing this word, and many others with an "s" instead of a "z" is considered correct in England, and in many other countries, for that matter. In fact, some people insist that we Americans should also use an "s" instead of a "z" in the same instances, but we won't go into the politics of the matter here.

Let's get started.

Place the french fries on the cookie sheet.

British

American

In America, you place the french fries on the cookie sheet. In Britain, you place the chips on the baking tray.

Let's prepare a beetroot salad.

British

American

In Britain, beetroot salad makes a tasty lunch. In America, we just eat plain beets.

It's best to eat a cookie with your coffee.

Britain

America

In America, it's best to eat a cookie with your coffee. In Britain, it's much more agreeable to eat a biscuit with your tea.

Our family lives in the same block of flats.

Britain

America

In Britain, it's possible to have your family live in the same block of flats. In America, they can live in the same apartment building.

Drink-driving is illegal in this country.

Britain

America

In Britain, drink-driving is illegal. In America, drunken driving is illegal.

Throw that trash in the garbage can!

Britain

America

In America, you throw trash in the garbage can. In Britain, you throw it in the dustbin.

The estate agent sold me the house.

Britain

America

In Britain, the estate agent will sell you the house. In America, the real estate agent will do it.

Fish sticks and french fries make a great meal.

Britain

America

In America, fish sticks and french fries make a great meal. In Britain, fish fingers and chips are preferred.

The pipe is made of aluminium.

British

American

In Britain, aluminium is the material of choice. Of course, in American English, it's aluminum.

This is where soccer is played.

Britain

America

Of course, soccer is played in America. In Britain, football is the name of the game.

We're celebrating a hen night!

Britain

America

In Britain, you let your hair down for hen night. In America, we call it a bachelorette party.

Hot soup can lead to a hot flash.

Britain

America

In America, hot soup can lead to a hot flash. In Britain, that same soup will lead to a hot flush.

It's best to buy a new pair of trainers.

Britain

America

In Britain, it's possible to buy a new pair of trainers. In America, we refer to them as sneakers.

She was embarrassed by her Christmas jumper.

Britain

America

Only in Britain can you be embarrassed by a Christmas jumper. In the States, you're never ashamed of your Christmas sweater.

The portly gentleman preferred to wear a vest.

Britain

America

The portly gentleman preferred to wear a vest in America. In Britain, he traded that in for a waistcoat.

Would you like some crisps with your sandwich?

Britain

America

In Britain, it's favorable to eat crisps with your sandwich. In America, chips serve the same purpose.

I'm hungry.

Britain

America

In America, people get hungry. In Britain, folks get peckish.

Blue is the colour of the sky.

Britain

America

In Britain, blue is the colour of the sky. In America, the sky is the same color.

We travel on an airplane.

Britain

America

In America, we travel on an airplane. In Britain, it's best to travel on an aeroplane.

Please write me a cheque.

Britain

America

In Britain, you request that someone writes you a cheque. In America, you merely ask for a check to be written.

The cat has grey eyes.

Britain

America

That's a tricky one! In Britain, the cat has grey eyes, but in America, it has gray eyes.

Fancy some courgette noodles?

Britain

America

In Britain, you might enjoy a healthy bowl of courgette noodles. In America, you'd enjoy them as zucchini noodles.

Care for some eggplant parmesan?

Britain

America

A delightful Italian delicacy in America is eggplant parmesan. In Britain, that would be aubergine parmesan.

I can live off jacket potatoes.

Britain

America

In Britain, there's nothing like a satisfying jacket potato. In America, it's just a plain baked potato. Or a spud.

This is where you ride the subway.

Britain

America

America is where you have to ride the dreaded subway. In Britain, you take the underground, or the Tube.

You can buy pain medication at the chemist.

Britain

America

Only in Britain will you find pain medication at the chemist. In America, you find it at the pharmacy.

There are no phone booths anymore.

Britain

America

In America, there are no phone booths anymore. In Britain, you can still find phone boxes.

To find the engine, lift the bonnet of the car.

Britain

America

To find the engine, you life the bonnet of the car in Britain. In America, you lift the hood.

The pebble cracked the windshield.

Britain

America

Only in America can a pebble crack a windshield. In Britain, it will crack the windscreen.

I popped a tyre.

Britain

America

In Britain, you pop a tyre. In America, you pop a tire. It all sounds the same.

Fancy an Indian takeaway?

Britain

America

In Britain, Indian food is a popular takeaway. In America, you're more likely to get Chinese takeout.

Just send it through the post.

Britain

America

In Britain, things get sent through the post. In America, you send those things through the mail.

The Plough was shining in the night sky.

Britain

America

At night in Britain, the Plough can shine through the night sky. In America, it's the Big Dipper that we see.

Let's take the family on vacation.

Britain

America

In America, it's fun to take the family on vacation. In Britain, it's preferable to go on holiday.

I almost got hit by a lorry!

Britain

America

In Britain, it's a bad day if you get hit by a lorry. In America, it's equally a bad day when you get hit by a truck.

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